The winter season has started off much snowier than normal across parts of the Northland.
To track the progress of the snowfall versus what would be expected normally, we have created the graph below. The blue line is the trend of the 30 year climate normal snowfall at Duluth. The two black lines are the records for maximum and minimum snowfall. The red line is the snowfall that has accumulated at the Duluth National Weather Service Office, near the Duluth airport, in the 2010-2011 winter period.
A snowier than normal winter is more likely than not this year. This is because of strengthening La Nina conditions in the Pacific Ocean.
As the graph indicates, Duluth has had a snowier than normal start to winter. Through January 14th, Duluth was 22.9 inches above the 30 year normal for snow. The 63.7 inches of snowfall so far this winter has qualified as the 8th highest to date for Duluth. This total through January 14th is 156% of the normal value.
The total seasonal snowfall at Duluth thus far is on par with what would normally be observed by March 3rd.
Through January 14th, International Falls was 20.9 inches above their 30 year normal snowfall. The 56.3 inches of snowfall qualifies International Falls as the 6th highest on record to date, and is 159% of normal through January 14th.
As the winter progresses, the graph may be updated several times to show the latest trends in snowfall when compared to normal.
The 30 year Climate Normal Snowfall for Duluth, MN is 83.1 inches and 70 inches at International Falls, MN.